Germany's Afghan refugee programme plagued by fraud and security lapses

Falsified passports, ignored warnings, and unchecked flights—how Germany's refugee scheme became a security minefield. Officials demand answers as risks mount.

, and Administrator

2026 March 22 . 5:01 PM

1 min read

The image shows an open book with handwriting on it, which is likely a document from the German... — The image shows an open book with handwriting on it, which is likely a document from the German Federal Republic of Germany. The text on the paper is likely related to the document, and there are watermarks at the bottom of the image.

Germany's Afghan refugee programme plagued by fraud and security lapses

Germany's federal admission programme for highly vulnerable Afghans has faced repeated criticism over security failings. Police officials have raised concerns about identity checks and document fraud since the scheme began in 2022. Now, new details reveal how these issues have led to calls for urgent action.

In March 2025, the German Police Union (DPolG) demanded the cancellation of a charter flight from Islamabad to Berlin. The union warned that passenger identities could not be reliably verified, posing a security risk. This was not the first time such concerns had been raised.

Internal memos show months of reports about forged or improperly certified documents. Investigators found cases of falsified passports, proxy passports, fake marriage certificates, and suspected visa fraud. Over 100 times, security warnings about Afghan applicants were ignored by visa authorities before they entered Germany.

The Federal Police also launched multiple investigations into possible document forgery by Afghans already in the country. DPolG leader Heiko Teggatz had previously written to then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz, highlighting repeated discrepancies in identity checks for passengers on these flights.

The programme's security flaws remain unresolved, despite ongoing police warnings. Investigations into document fraud continue, but no official figures exist on how many Afghans have been brought to Germany under the scheme. Authorities have yet to announce any changes to the admission process.